Bears Rumors: Larry Ogunjobi Agrees to 3-Year, $40.5M Contract After Leaving Bengals

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Chicago Bears have agreed to a three-year, $40.5 million deal with defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi.

He started 16 games for Cincinnati last season and made 49 tackles and seven sacks. He was hurt in the first round of the playoffs and was unable to play in the Super Bowl.

Prior to signing a one-year deal with Cincinnati last summer, Ogunjobi spent the previous four years with the Cleveland Browns, starting every game he played.

The Browns won their first playoff game in twenty years in 2020 and had the No. 9 rush defense. After Ogunjobi joined the team, Cincinnati won its first playoff game in 25 years.

The improvement against the run was clear.

Mark Potash @MarkPotash

The Bengals' run defense improved from 29th to fifth in yards per game and from 31st to 13th in yards per attempt after signing DT Larry Ogunjobi last year. https://t.co/rkql4DaZox

The Bears haven't won a playoff game since 2010 and finished -11 last season.

Chicago ranked 23rd in yards allowed against the run.

The Bears had a hole in the middle of the defensive line after Akiem Hicks, Bilal Nichols and Eddie Goldman all became free agents. The pass rush needed help after Mack was traded.

Although he won't replace all these players by himself, he should make a significant impact against both the run and the pass under new head coach Matt Eberflus next season.